ARANZ Geo launches Leapfrog® Academic Program at SEG

ARANZ Geo launches Leapfrog® Academic Program at Society of Economic Geologists (SEG) 2014

CHRISTCHURCH, NZ, 26 September 2014 – ARANZ Geo Limited, a recognised world leader in the visualisation and interpretation of geological sciences and developer of Leapfrog® 3D geological modelling software, will launch the Leapfrog Academic Program at the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG) 2014 conference in Colorado tomorrow. The Leapfrog Academic Program aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge to confidently create and interpret geological models with Leapfrog, the leading 3D geological modelling software for the mining, exploration, groundwater contamination, and geothermal energy industries.

ARANZ Geo consultant geologist and academic co-ordinator Heidi Rhodes, leader of the Leapfrog® Academic Program says, “We are pleased to officially launch our academic program at SEG 2014 and give students a great head start in their industry. There is high demand for geologists with Leapfrog knowledge as the world’s largest mining exploration, and environmental companies use Leapfrog as well as consultants and government agencies.”

Leapfrog Academic Program - teaching & student options

The Leapfrog Academic Program offers academic institutions and students generously discounted licenses for Leapfrog, the best 3D geological modelling tools available. Students and teachers can access ongoing support via the Leapfrog academic website www.leapfrog3d.com/academic.

Lecturers are able to use Leapfrog to explain geological concepts in front of a class or in a tutorial with an entire class set of Leapfrog licenses.

Postgraduate students can also apply for a Leapfrog license if they meet requirements including publishing research to the Leapfrog Academic Library, which already holds a significant body of work.

Rhodes says, “The Leapfrog Academic Library is a great resource and also provides a great opportunity for students to get their research and findings showcased to industry experts and academics globally.”

University of Canterbury – using Leapfrog to create a step forward in understanding

The academic licenses have already made an impact at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, hometown of ARANZ Geo.

Dr Kate Pedley, Senior Geological Sciences Tutor at the University of Canterbury says, “Many students have significant trouble relating the 2D construction lines on their maps and cross-sections to what they actually represent in 3D. Most end up trying to memorise the construction steps rather than visualise and understand the geology.”

Dr Pedley says as a structural geology teacher, this has been a long term problem as students get very little opportunity to visualise in 3D.

“Working with ARANZ Geo we have been able to put together some key Leapfrog 3D models of the different mapping scenarios of dipping rocks, 3-point problems, faults and folds. These can be rotated and sliced by students to see how their 2D maps relate to the 3D space and geometry, complete with structure contours and construction lines. This will provide a significant step forward in understanding”, says Dr Pedley.
Applications for the Leapfrog Academic Program

Universities and other applicants can apply for Leapfrog Academic Program licenses via the new Leapfrog academic website www.leapfrog3d.com/academic.

Rhodes says, “Once a University or applicant has been approved, we’ll work with lecturers to organise any training that’s needed and we’ll maintain regular contact throughout the course to gather feedback and provide help. We’ll also help publish research to the Academic Library.”

ENDS

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